Home and Garden: Home for the Holidays

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Home for the Holidays

Quick, think of your favorite holiday memory—what comes to mind? Is it the steaming cup of hot cocoa topped with marshmallows on a cold afternoon? Maybe the special meal that makes its once-a-year appearance on the table? Or, is it the notes of “Silent Night” that signal it is indeed that most wonderful time of the year? All of those things are great, but those memories are most likely anchored to something that sets the tone first: the holiday decorating. Sometime, not too far after Halloween, but before the first batch of Christmas cookies is baked, the annual decking of the halls will begin, setting the backdrop for all things festive and bright. A string of twinkling lights here, a bough of holly there—well, sure, but if you really want your home to stand out (and, no, not in the Las Vegas-meets-Griswold sense), why not take an unconventional turn, and go back in time to a traditional, authentic holiday landscape, as decorated here by Eric Brown of Greenville-based Eric Brown Design.

The thrill of the season is presented in a simple and elegant way, and a little ingenuity can help any recession-strapped budget (think nuts, berries, and handmade ornaments, which are not only cost-effective, but more environmentally friendly than their plastic counterparts). Brown’s style is full of whimsy, history, and authenticity that isn’t hard to recreate in your own home—and, let’s be honest, maybe it’s time we put aside that nylon blowup Santa this year.

The idea of bringing a live tree into the house purportedly began in Germany (though Latvia has laid claim to being first, as well) more than 1,000 years ago. St. Boniface, who, according to Christian tradition, upon seeing “pagans” worshipping an oak tree, chopped it down only to have a fir sapling spring up in its place. He declared it a sign of his faith (convenient, as he was trying to win converts to Christianity) and thus the tree became an integral part of Christmas.

It made its way into American culture via the British. The Christmas tree was first introduced in the mid-eighteenth century by King George III’s wife, Charlotte, who was German (and after whom Charlotte, North Carolina, is named). But the trend spread as a result of an 1848 woodcut printing of Prince Albert (who was German) and his wife Queen Victoria, with their children standing around a Christmas tree at Windsor Castle, in Illustrated London News. The print was reproduced two years later in the U.S. publication Godey’s Lady’s Book. The image, widely circulated, set off a sensation (much like today), to bring inside and decorate a live tree with fruit, nuts, and even food like sweets and cakes.

Taking this strong European tradition into account, Brown brought together elements that lean toward classic, with a few unique, modern tweaks. It is indeed bold to have real, burning candles clipped onto branches (though, decades ago, live trees weren’t put up until Christmas Eve and were taken down a few days after the New Year, and fresh-cut trees don’t burn), but Brown added them here and suggests minimizing your ornaments for an authentic look. The simpler the better if you’re doing a Euro twist: glass ornaments are best, as are handmade ones made out of wood or steel-can lids. (What? That’s the modern part.) Brown enlisted Karin Purvis (nee Kaiser, yes, she is German), owner of The Houseplant—the Art of the Garden, on Washington Street, to fashion snowflakes out of cast-off steel-can lids.

The idea is to mix elements of nature (wood, glass, figurines of small animals for a bit of whimsy) with clean design. The muted greens and whites, with nary a bit of bright red or green, might seem understated for the typical color palette of the season, but it is elegance redefined. Simple glass containers do the job for holding cut flowers and freshly cut bits of greenery. Keeping the tree in its natural shape, and not shearing it into a perfect triangular formation, also lends itself to an authentic take. It’s not doing away with tradition, but rethinking it. Classic, authentic—but there’s always room on the dining-room sideboard for the stuffed reindeer, fruitcake, or whatever else the attic’s bounty turns up. Or, maybe, just this year, save these for the guest room. Hey, isn’t that what the holidays are also good for—starting your own new traditions?

Merry & Bright

Eric Brown Design
1322 East Washington St.
(864) 233-4442
ericbrowndesign.biz

The Houseplant—The Art of the Garden
1322 East Washington St., #A1
(864) 242-1589